Long History

History is food for the brain. On Long History we split historic source documents into chunks of around ten minutes so you hear about historic events from the people who took part. Our previous series have included first-hand accounts of journeys by Magellan, Drake, Columbus and more. Treat yourself to something nourishing, and listen to real history while you’re doing it.

Listen on:

Latest series: Virginia 1606-1609

Our latest set of documents here on Long History looks at the early years of North America's first permanent British settlement.

Over 20 episodes, we will listen to the voices of the very people who took part in the earliest colonisation of the US.

Our weekly second series:

Random UK Prime Minister of the Week

Episodes released every Friday.

Past series

Magellan, Columbus and Vasco da Gama: The Three Main Explorers

Magellan's First Voyage Around the World: 30 episodes

Journal of the First Voyage of Columbus: 30 episodes

The Second Voyage of Christopher Columbus: 6 episodes

The Third Voyage of Christopher Columbus: 10 episodes

A Journal of the First Voyage of Vasco da Gama: 25 episodes

Other Famous Names

Francis Drake's Voyage About the World: 20 episodes

Sir Walter Raleigh’s The Discovery of Guiana: 18 episodes

Sir Walter Raleigh and Virginia: 18 episodes

Exploring the Pacific

Forgotten Voyages 1: After Magellan: 10 episodes

Forgotten Voyages 2: The Hunt for the Missing Captain: 5 episodes

Exploring North America

The Southern Unites States in the 1500s: 25 episodes

Florida, Texas and Northern Mexico in the 1500s: 20 episodes

Jacques Cartier's Three Voyages to Canada: 18 episodes

Henry Hudson's Diverse Voyages and Northern Discoveries: 25 episodes

Creating the Philippines' Spanish Colony:

Journey to Colonise The Philippines: 8 episodes

The Philippines’ First Spanish Colony: 20 episodes

How Manila became Spanish: 5 episodes

Conquering Manila: 5 episodes

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Episodes

Wednesday Feb 22, 2023

The Southern United States in the 1500s. 17. Arkansas and the Sea

Wednesday Feb 22, 2023

(17 of 25) Around three years into his journey, what led up to Hernando de Soto’s lowest point?

Monday Feb 20, 2023

The Southern United States in the 1500s. 16. Interpreters in Arkansas

Monday Feb 20, 2023

(16 of 25) On his expedition, what issues did Hernando de Soto have when trying to communicate with local people?

Friday Feb 17, 2023

The Southern United States in the 1500s. 15. The Plentiful Lands of Arkansas

Friday Feb 17, 2023

(15 of 25) De Soto's expedition from the 1500s is in Northern Arkansas and meets various groups of local people. How were his relations with the people of Arkansas?

Wednesday Feb 15, 2023

The Southern United States in the 1500s. 14. Friendship in Arkansas

Wednesday Feb 15, 2023

(14 of 25) After the battles in Alabama and the rout in Mississippi, how were Hernando de Soto’s relationships with the people of Arkansas?

Monday Feb 13, 2023

The Southern United States in the 1500s. 13. Arkansas and The Mississippi

Monday Feb 13, 2023

(13 of 25) The expedition began its exploration of North America in today's Florida state, and in this episode reaches Arkansas. In this episode are some of the first ever detailed descriptions of the Mississippi river by Europeans. Where was Hernando de Soto’s first sighting of the Mississippi?

Friday Feb 10, 2023

The Southern United States in the 1500s. 12. Rout in Mississippi

Friday Feb 10, 2023

(12 of 25) After their battles in the Alabama area, the expedition moves on to today's Mississippi state only to find their reputation still precedes them. What battles await them in Mississippi?

Wednesday Feb 08, 2023

The Southern United States in the 1500s. 11. Haughtiness and Contempt in Alabama

Wednesday Feb 08, 2023

(11 of 25) In Alabama, the local people are not happy to see the expedition. How does de Soto react when attacked?

Monday Feb 06, 2023

The Southern United States in the 1500s. 10. Tuscaloosa in Alabama: Dignified and Feared

Monday Feb 06, 2023

(10 of 25) The expedition has travelled from Florida to Tennessee and has now reached Alabama. Their reputation with the local people precedes them. Was Hernando de Soto welcomed in Alabama?

Friday Feb 03, 2023

The Southern United States in the 1500s. 9. Captured Caciques in Eastern Tennessee

Friday Feb 03, 2023

(9 of 25) From today's North Carolina, one of the earliest ever European expeditions to explore the US mainland has headed west. This episode begins in Tennessee, with de Soto and his men heading southwards. Where did de Soto’s expedition visit in Tennessee?

Wednesday Feb 01, 2023

The Southern United States in the 1500s. 8. A Kidnapped Cacica in North Carolina and Tennessee

Wednesday Feb 01, 2023

(8 of 25) De Soto and his expedition travel through North Carolina and Tennessee. How did the Gentleman of Elvas describe these places?

History from the source:

Magellan, Columbus and Vasco da Gama: The Three Main Explorers

Magellan's First Voyage Around the World: 30 episodes

Journal of the First Voyage of Columbus: 30 episodes

The Second Voyage of Christopher Columbus: 6 episodes

The Third Voyage of Christopher Columbus: 10 episodes

A Journal of the First Voyage of Vasco da Gama: 25 episodes

Other Famous Names

Francis Drake's Voyage About the World: 20 episodes

Sir Walter Raleigh’s The Discovery of Guiana: 18 episodes

Sir Walter Raleigh and Virginia: 18 episodes

Exploring the Pacific

Forgotten Voyages 1: After Magellan: 10 episodes

Forgotten Voyages 2: The Hunt for the Missing Captain: 5 episodes

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